Aerobic Exercise and its Effects on HbA1c and BMI in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Specific Aims: To assess the effect of aerobic exercise dose has on diabetes control monitoring parameter of HbA1c and BMI. Methods: Studies were found from previous studies and through a search of PubMed. These studies were screened for eligibility and data was extracted using a data extraction tool. The outcomes of HbA1c and BMI were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software and standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to assess the impact of different doses of exercise on the outcome measures. Variability was measured using the I2 statistic and publication bias was assessed. Main Results: Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Moderate dose aerobic exercise was found to have moderate effect in reducing HbA1c and BMI (p = 0.00 & 0.03 respectively). Low dose and high dose aerobic exercise were not to reduce HbA1c (p = 0.07 & 0.13) or BMI (p = 0.61 & 0.25). There was excess variation found in both the HbA1c analysis and the BMI analysis (I2 = 72.28 & 84.04 respectively). There was no publication bias found (Kendall’s tau = 0.809). Conclusion: Moderate dose aerobic exercise was effective in reducing HbA1c and BMI, while low dose and high dose aerobic exercise were not found to have a statistically significant effect on either HbA1c or BMI.